VDF honors physicians, leaders in the field of vascular disease with President's Awards

The Vascular Disease Foundation (VDF) presented its annual awards at the organization's eighth annual meeting in Washington. The awards honor the work of citizens, health care providers, organizations, researchers and companies that have enhanced the understanding and/or treatment of peripheral vascular diseases.

The most prestigious award, the Julius H. Jacobson II MD Award for Physician Excellence, recognizes outstanding contributions to physician education, leadership and patient care in vascular diseases. This year's recipient is Barry T. Katzen, MD, medical director of Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute in Miami and professor of radiology at the University of Miami.

Dr. Katzen has done much to advance the cause of endovascular interventions including pioneering many of the methods of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and was one of the first to popularize fibrinolytic therapy. His most unique contribution to education was pioneering the use of "live-case" tutorial for vascular education which has evolved into a teaching tool for procedure-oriented specialties.

In addition to the Jacobson award, the VDF presented its President's Awards which recognize individuals who have assisted the foundation in accomplishing its mission to improve health for all by reducing death and disability from vascular diseases.

"The President's Awards for Vision, Leadership, Inspiration and Partnership show our appreciation for the extraordinary initiatives to support the foundation's efforts to increase awareness of vascular disease and enhance patient lives," said Robert McLafferty, MD, president of the VDF.

This year's President's Awards were presented as follows:

President's Award for Inspiration was given to Beth Murray, MS, NP the HeartCaring/Cardiac Outreach Coordinator at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in Patchogue, NY. To her patients, she is a lifeline of hope and inspiration, listening to their stories and helping them understand how to manage their vascular health issues.

President's Award for Leadership was given to Anton N. Sidawy, MD, MPH, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery at the George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Dr. Sidawy also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Vascular Surgery and he is a Past-President of the Society for Vascular Surgery. Having served on VDF's Board of Directors since June 2003, Dr. Sidawy was VDF's President-Elect and President from 2006 to 2010. Through his dedication to and leadership of VDF, he has shown his commitment to VDF's mission in increasing the awareness of vascular disease and improving vascular health.

President's Award for Partnership was given to American Association of CardioVascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). For over a year the AACVPR had partnered with VDF to create, review and promote the PAD Exercise Toolkit, and has cross-promoted the program to its members. Over 1,000 professionals have used the program over the past year.

President's Award for Vision was given to the Center for Vascular Awareness in Albany, N.Y. and Dr. Manish Mehta, vascular surgeon and endovascular specialist, for their advancement of vascular awareness through quarterly meetings held for health care providers and others in the community.

"It gives me great honor to present these awards on behalf of VDF," said McLafferty. "This year's recipients have made such an outstanding contribution to not only VDF but the field of vascular medicine. It is such a privilege to acknowledge those committed to advancing the field of vascular disease."

SOURCE Vascular Disease Foundation